What Is Prague Powder?

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Prague powder is a popular food preservative used to cure meat products, such as sausage, corned beef, hot dogs, salami, pepperoni and prosciutto. Prague powder is also known as Tinted Cure, Tinted Salt or Pink Curing Salt.

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Prague powder is composed of 93.75 percent table salt and 6.25 percent sodium nitrate. It contains anti-micro bacterial properties to prevent food poisoning and inhibit the growth of the bacteria that causes botulism. It also helps maintain the appearance and flavor of the meat.

Prague powder is colored pink to prevent it from being mistaken for ordinary salt. It is the reason cured meats such as corned beef and hot dogs are pink. Prague powder is meant to be used in small quantities. One teaspoon of Prague powder cures about five pounds of meat.